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The thorny savannah and marshland of Enter Rios.
Crossing the huge delta of the Parana River north of Buenos Aires, you get to a very special area. The sandy soil supports an open thorny forest of American carob and local acacia trees, where ovenbirds, thornbirds and spinetails place their huge stick nests.
The landscape is an interesting mix of forest, grassland, marshland and humid riverside forest. Periodical flooding makes the area unsuitable for agriculture, preserving the conservation of mixed habitats with a high diversity of birds such as
waterfowl, raptors, pigeons, woodpeckers, tyrants, flycatchers, furnarids, finches and blackbirds.
The pampas grassland and wetland of Buenos Aires.
Pampas mean open space, or just emptiness based on Robert Bontine Cunningham Graham description. A sea of grasses where
cattle and gauchos roamed on ranches (estancias) to become a country Argentina.
This is a place where you can enjoy a rich blend of superb beef, reflections of the old grandeur of estancias and, certainly, unique birding.
Even if every patch of the original wild scenery suffered a deep transformation, thus making it a challenge to find the
remnants of the original pampas, where many bird can still be found.
The tour to the east coast of Buenos Aires travel through extensive grassland, scattered with ponds and marshes before reaching the coastal mud flats.

2 day birdwatching tour to the thorny savannah and marshland of Entre Rios.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Entre Rios .
Pick up at Buenos Aires International Airport (Ezeiza / M Pistarini) and head north to the province of Entre Rios. With stops
at Otamendi and Ceibas, the day will finish near Gualeguaychu, 220 km north, for overnight at a countryside lodge. The next two
days can produce well over 120 species, a fraction is mentioned below.
First stop at Otamendi allow an introduction to Argentine birds walking along grassland subject to flooding, dense humid reed beds mixed with low forest. Birds include Whistling Heron, Great and Snowy Egrets, raptors like Southern Crested and Chimango Caracaras, Roadside Hawk, Long-winged Harrier and subject to rains Snail Kites. Giant Wood Rail, Eared Dove, Picazuro Pigeon, Golden-breasted Woodpecker, Monk Parakeet, Southern Lapwing, Guira Cuckoo, Rufous Ovenbird and its relatives the Freckle-
breasted Thornbird, Curve-billed Reedhaunter, Sulphur-bearded Spinetail, Spix’s and Yellow-chinned Spinetail and possibility of the rare Straight-billed Reedhaunter. Other passerines include Black and Rufous Warbling Finch, Rufous Collared Sparrow and several blackbirds like Yellow-winged Blackbird, Brown and Yellow Marshbird, the spectacular Scarlet-Headed Blackbird,
Bay-winged and Shiny Cowbirds.

Crossing the Parana River we reach an area, with diverse habitats and a very rich bird life. A mix of humid grassland, riverine forest and a savannah with scattered thorny trees with characteristic bird species associated. The journey itself offers good birding spots. The savannah gives some specialties hard to find near Buenos Aires like Brown Cachalote, Scimitar Billed Woodcreeper, the smart White-fronted Woodpecker, Lark-like Brushrunner etc.

Day 2 - Buenos Aires.
We takes a secondary road on the way back to Buenos Aires looking for more species in the Chaco type forest. Maguari Stork, Southern Screamer (resembling a flying turkey) and Savannah Hawk. A diversity of furnarids and tyrants can be found like Narrow-billed Woodcreeper, Short-billed Canastero, Canastero, Spinteails (Chotoy and Stripe Crowned), Firewood Gatherer. Flycatchers include Slaty-crowned Flycatcher, Yellow-browed Tyrant, the elegant White Monjita and the not-so-common Gray
Monjita. Spectacled Tyrant, Fork Tailed Flycatcher, Suiriri Flycatcher and White-naped Xenopsaris. Among the finches, the
Great Pampas Finch, Red-crested Cardinal, Golden-billed Saltator, Grassland Yellow Finch. Also teals and ducks, coots, ibises, hummingbirds, swallows, martins, tanagers, thrushes, gnatcatchers etc.
Approaching to Buenos Aires, a last stop can be made at Ribera Norte reserve to add up the last species to the list.
Afternoon arrival to Buenos Aires city

Day 2 - Punta Rasa area.
Highlight of the day is Punta Rasa area, whose extensive mud flats provide food for waders and seabirds. In spring and summer
the area hosts the Arctic species that fly all over the Americas to spend here their non-breeding season. Red Knot, Sanderling, White-rumped and Baird´s sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs, Two-Banded Plover (mostly in winter), Pectoral Sandpiper, Hudsonian Godwit, and Terns like Common, South American, Royal and Cayenne. Other birds in the area are Chilean Flamingo, Roseate Spoonbill, Black Skimmer, Brow-Hooded, Gray-Headed and Kelp Gulls, also possibly Band Tailed (Olrog´s) Gull, easier to find in winter.
Grassland and reed beds can offer Long-winged Harrier, American Golden and Black-Bellied Plovers, Burrowing Owl, Correndera and Hellmayr`s Pipits, Long-Tailed Reed-Finch, Great Pampas Finch, Wren-like Rushbird, Warbling Doradito, Scarlet-headed and White-browed Blackbirds, and much more.

Day 3 - Punta Rasa area.
The way back to Buenos Aires is an opportunity to add more birds to our list. Among expected water birds there are several
teals (Speckled, Silver and Ringed), Yellow-billed Pintail, Southern Pochard, White-faced Whistling Duck and Shoveler. Also White-tufted and Pied-billed Grebes, Limpkin, Giant Wood-Rail, White-Faced and Bare-Faced Ibis.
Rufus Ovenbird family members include Firewood Gatherer, Tufted Tit-Spinetail, Chotoy and Chicli Spinetail, Curve-billed Reedhaunter and the secretive Bay-capped Wren-Spinetail. Flycatchers include Spectacled Tyrant, White-crested and Sooty Tyrannulet and Yellow-browed Tyrant.
Apart from waders, other species are seasonal. Winter visitors (May to August) include Snowy Sheathbill, Bar-Winged Cinclodes, Rufus Negrito, White-Tipped Plantcutter, White-banded Mockingbird and the Chilean Swallow. In spring and summer (Sept
to April) you find Fork-Tailed, Vermilion and Streaked Flycatchers, Tropical Kingbird, and the swallows: White-rumped,
Blue and White, Cliff and Barn Swallow plus Brown-chested and Gray-breasted Martin.
Arrival at Buenos Aires by 6 PM and transfer to your hotel.

Diego Gallegos, your local Birdingpal guide in Buenos Aires.
In 1973, when I was 12, W. H. Hudson´s delightful “Far Away and Long Ago” fell into my hands. The birds, the nature and the people in those pristine pampas of 1850 were depicted so vividly that I was forever hooked.
Time passed, and in 1984, I got my university degree (equivalent to a BSc) in Biology in the University of Buenos Aires. I
worked many years as the manager of the birding conservation group Asociación Ornitológica del Plata (at present known as Aves Argentinas) and at the same time, I was called to guide my first group of birdwatchers. Since then, I led many other groups from the USA, UK or Europe, and more recently also individual travellers.
At present I keep guiding for local and international travel agents, but most of my clients are individuals or couples that find me in the internet and contact me directly. Meet some of them - and have a look at their bird pictures - in the Birds & People section!
Married to a biology teacher, we live with our four kids in a northern suburb of Buenos Aires. We spend much of our spare time
in the countryside and we take every opportunity to travel around Argentina.
The birding as I see it. The experience gave me a good understanding of what makes a successful birdwatching tour, and how this can change from one person to the other. Furthermore, I understand every outing as an excellent opportunity to meet people with
a shared interest in birds an nature. A common interest that usually leads to conversations in many other subjects. Despite the long time I have been guiding, I keep having the same fun I had when I guided my first group. And I love to share that joy.

Testimonials.
I had a couple of days to spare prior to a business meeting in Buenos Aires and wanted to do some birding. Not knowing where to go, how to get there or, in some cases, what I was seeing, I looked for a guide. I found Diego through an internet search and was glad I did. Over the course of a couple of days, he showed me many birds, took me to some interesting locations, found comfortable lodgings along the way and, most of all, was great company. I have birded in many countries around the world and Diego was as good an ambassador for his country and his country's avifauna as any other I have had.
Recommended
Rob W., New Jersey
I contacted Diego after reading about him on the Birdingpal website. We began to email each other in preparation for a trip
from my home state of Florida to Buenos Aires, Argentina. When I couldn't find the book, Aves de Buenos Aires, here in Florida, Diego was able to get it for me. He picked us up (myself and my daughter) and took us to several different areas twice during the week that we birded with him. He made sure we had good looks at the birds and patiently helped us to identify them. Diego even managed to find a Golden-crowned Warbler for me, a species I had never been able to see in the U.S.A. During both trips, Diego made sure that we had food and drinks. Because I like to take photos of new birds (and I had many lifers while birding with Diego!), Diego made sure that we lingered long enough at each place for taking photos. Another reason why we enjoyed his services is that Diego is quite knowledgable about other wildlife and plants in the region, not just the bird species.
If I travel to the Buenos Aires area in the future, Diego will be the first person I will call. I would highly recommend him to anyone who plans to bird there.
Sincerely, Irene Hernandez, Redington Shores, FL bskimmer(AT)tampabay.rr.com

The North East.

Iguazú, Missiones.
Within the Iguazú National Park, a jungle environment predominates, whereby the falls an immense delta with a large number of islands are in reality like a magnificent wetland area. What better combination to find birds as are water and jungle!
And there is more. Some bird species can only be found near the waterfalls. The magnificent Black-fronted Piping guan, without doubt the most handsome of guans of the Neotropics, frequents the falls area. Large trees, or rocks amidst the waters, are good spots to find this bird. Neither must we forget the incredible numbers of Great Dusky Swifts, with their spectacular diving flights, their nests hidden behind the walls of falling waters, and who have rightfully become the symbol of the Iguazú National Park and can be found on the Park's badge. On checking these flocks closely and carefully, the White-collared Swift can
sometimes be found among them, but it is present in small numbers only. Various swallow species can be observed near the falls, the Black-collared Swallow being the most searched after by birdwatchers. Among the aquatic vegetation you might discover the beautiful Yellow-billed Cardinal, the elusive Yellow-chinned Spinetail, and the modest Sooty Tyrannulet. Toucans, such as the Toco Toucan, or Chestnut-eared Araçarí, are quite common near the falls. With luck, even the elusive Saffron Toucanet can be
seen here. Herons, among them Striated Heron and Rufescent Tiger-heron, hunt and fish among the rocks, as well as cormorants and anhingas, diving for their food. Somewhat rarer though is the Great Muscovy Duck, unmistakable in flight with its obvious white wing spots. In summer, high among the tree crowns, Swallow Tanagers amaze us with their intense blue and their notorious black mask, although the female in its green feather dress is no less attractive. The Greater Ani in its dark blue luminous dress is another summer visitor. In the early mornings we find parrots and parakeets perching and well visible in all their detailed dress, seemingly enjoying the spray produced by the falling waters. A few small raptors are also abundantly present, such as Snail Kite, which we see watching the waters intently, looking for their habitual prey, or the Yellow-headed Caracara. Less common is the Bat Falcon which can be seen catching large dragonflies but around dusk goes hunting for its preferred prey, the smaller bats. From time to time, an Osprey will also show itself.

4 day birdwatching tour to Iguazú and Urugua-í National Parks, Misiones

Itinerary

Day 1 - Iguazu.
Transfer from the airport to the hotel. In the evening, birding around the main fall, the Devil´s Throat. We will reach that area walking along a fantastic footbridge across the delta of the Iguazú river, along the waterfalls. During the walk, it will be possible to spot White-winged Swallows hunting insects over the river, Yellow-billed Cardinals, Muscovy Ducks, Anhingas, Kingfishers, Herons and from the balcony at the Devil´s Throat we will see the Great Dusky Swifts doing their acrobatic flight crossing the waters of the falls to roost on the rocks behind them.

Violaceous Euphonia

Day 2 - Iguazu Falls.
Regular half day birding tour: Early in the morning, when the National Park is still closed, we will visit the best birding areas in the Park, some of them closed to the general visitor area, in order to find local species of the Atlantic Forest, such as Surucua Trogon, Rufous-capped Motmot, Creamy-bellied Gnatcacher, White-eyed Foliage-gleaner, Robust Woodpecker and Spot-backed Antshrike, among others. Afternoon: visit to the Argentinian side of the falls, walking on your own. The circuits
at the Falls are one of the best places to look for the Black-fronted Piping Guan (target bird for Iguazú). Transfer to the hotel.

Swallow-tailed Manakin

Day 3 - Urugua-i National Park.
Private tour to visit the Urugua-i National Park. This protected area is situated 100 km from Puerto Iguazú. There we can find birds rare in the Iguazú area, such as the Planalto Tapaculo, Grey-bellied Spinetail, Dusky-tailed Antbird, Large-tailed Antshrike, and Ochre-faced Tody-Flycatcher. Box lunch in the camping area. In the afternoon, return to Puerto Iguazú. Visit to the Hummingbird Gardens, a private garden with feeders where it is possible to see up to 7 different species of wild hummingbirds, such as the Black Jacobin, Scale-throated Hermit, Violet-capped Woodnymph, etc.

Day 4 - Iguazu.
Regular half day birding tour in a different area in the National Park trying to find other target birds, such as Tufted Antshrike, the little Ochre–collared Piculet woodpecker, Southern Antpipit, Blue Manakin, Chesnut-bellied Euphonia,
Green-headed Tanager, etc.
Transfer to the airport. End of our services.

Included:Transfers as described in the program. Lunch on the visit to Urugua-i National Park. Entrance fees, snack, mineral water during the outings, birding guide, and hotel accommodation with breakfast.Excluded:Lunch and dinner, tips to guides and drivers, drinks, personal travel and medical insurance. Anything not specified in “Included".

Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Daniel.

San Pedro, Misiones.

Misiones province, in northeastern Argentina, is home to over half the bird species of this bird-rich country.
Now, more than five hundred species, in stunning habitats, with backdrops of impressive waterfalls, giant tree-ferns and prehistoric Araucaria trees - all the diversity of San Pedro department is available as a four-day (3 full days), all-inclusive, birding-intensive package.

Day 1 (half day).
Visitors are welcomed (12:30) to San Pedro, Misiones. pm - Araucaria Park.At 99ha, Las Araucarias is not that large, but it is one of the best places in the world to see Canebrake Groundcreeper and Araucaria Tit-spinetail. Other regulars are Red-breasted (Green-billed) Toucan, Vinaceous-breasted Amazon, Azure Jay and even the odd Helmeted Woodpecker.
Overnight in Los Suizos Spa and Cabins.

Day 3.
am - Kaa Yari and pm - Yaguaroundi Private Reserve.Part of the Yaboti Biosphere mosaic, Kaa Yari Provincial Park was put on the birding map when Black-capped Manakin, new for Argentina, was found here in 2004. Soon after, researchers found breeding evidence and ever since, along with other Kaa Yari specialities like Brown-breasted Pygmy-Tyrant, Thick-billed Saltator and Rufous-tailed Antthrush, the locality has deservedly attracted the attention of international birding groups in growing numbers.
Overnight in Yaguaroundi Private Reserve Cabins.

Day 4 (half day).
am - Yaguaroundi Private Reserve.Among the 235 bird species listed here. our last morning on the main trail in Yaguaroundi can add Giant Antshrike, Variegated Antpitta, Red-ruffed Fruitcrow, White-throated Spadebill and São Paulo Tyrranulet, Rufous-tailed Antthrush, Ocellated Bamboo-Wren, White-browed Foliage-Gleaner, along with Wing-barred Piprites, Large-tailed Antshrike, the skulking Dusky-tailed Antbird and rarity Yellow-browed Woodpecker to your trip list.
Our services end (12:30) with a farewell back at the station in time for your transfer to the next great Argentinean birding locality.

Included:All meals (drinks excluded), accomodation in (first night) Swiss-style spa and cabins, then two nights at Yaguaroundi Private Reserve lodgings, visits to four outstanding protected areas in the San Pedro area, minimum 7 hours per day birding (total 20+ hours) with English ornithologist guide, based in 500 ha Yaguaroundi Private Reserve; a Birdlife International Important Site for Bird Conservation (AICA), all transfers in 4x4 vehicle. All inclusive travel insurance is provided with this package. Please check with us for details.Excluded:Tips to guides and drivers, drinks, personal medical insurance. Anything not specified in “Included".Terms and conditions.
100% payment deposited minimum 15 days before scheduled start date of package.
While all precautions are taken to provide services as listed, weather conditions or other unforseen circumstances may cause changes or cancellation of all or part of the package, or alterations in prices, lodging or transportation, without prior notice.
50% of payment is refundable in the event of all or part cancellation.

Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Guy.

Guy Cox, your local Birdingpal guide in Misiones.
Visiting Bolivia in 1984, Guy fell in love with the forest. His studies of Horned Curassow in Amboró National Park and other Cracids in protected areas throughout the country in the '90s earned him a position on IUCN's Cracid Specialist Committee and began a lifetime dedicated to birds and conservation. He furthered his understanding of birds and tropical biology in his two years with "Van" Remsen in Louisiana State University and in the field with birding legend Ted Parker.
Guy lives in San Pedro, Misiones, with his wife Natalia and two children. When not watching birds, he is active in local environmental programs, he teaches English to future Park Guards and heads the local COA (Club de Observadores de Aves) - an Aves Argentinas-linked nationwide birdwatching network. The group, COA Tucai, recently received an equipment grant from American Birding Association's BEX program.

Testimonials.
13th Jan 2011. I highly recommend a trip with Guy Cox. He is the consummate expert to birds of the area, he helped us to find birds we would never have seen on our own. I recommend him whether you are an expert yourself or a novice to the birds of the area.
Sandy Weber - Blacksburg, VA 24060
Yacutinga Lodge - 11th May 2011. Guy - We wanted to thank you for the wonderful guiding during our stay. We enjoyed your insights into the world of the rain forest as well as your engaging stories of the ornithologist's life in South America.
Alice and David Schiff

North West.

Jujuy and Salta.
Argentina's Northwest (near the Bolivian and Chilean borders) is an excellent area for birding with more than 550 bird species recorded. With very different life zones such as the high Andes (Lakes Vilama and Polulos), the pre Puna and Puna steppes (the Humahuaca area, Yavi, Lake Pozuelos included), the Yungas cloud forest (the Calilegua National Park and Yala Reserve), all within less than a 400 Km radius. Many different cultural, geological, and wildlife attractions, too.

7 day birdwatching tour to Puna, high Andes, and mountain cloudforest of Salta and Jujuy
(Operated by Paisajes del Noroeste - Leg Nº12.471).

Itinerary

Day 1 - Cuesta del Obispo & Cardones National Park (Monte and cloud forest of Yungas).
Upon arrival we will meet you at Salta Airport (or bus station should you be arriving from our birdwatching tour to Cordoba/Tucuman). We begin with visiting the Cuesta del Obispo looking for Rufus-bellied Saltator, Rufous-webbed
Bush-tyrant and Giant Hummingbird. In the afternoon, we will visit the Cardones National Park looking for Burrowing Parrot, White-fronted Woodpecker, Patagonian Mockingbird and more.
Lunch and dinner. Overnight in City of Salta.

Day 2 - Santa Laura Mountain Pass - Yala Provincial Park (Cloud forest of Yungas).
In the morning we visit a couple of reservoir in search of water birds like Ringed Teal and Fulvous Whistling Duck.
Continuing through the Santa Laura mountain pass looking for Buff-browed Foliage Gleaner, Mitred Parakeet, Two-banded Warbler; Red-legged Seriema and the elusive Wayco Tinamou. During the afternoon we will visit Yala searching for Rufus-throated Dipper
and Torrent Duck.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight in San Salvador de Jujuy.

Day 3 - Quebrada de Humahuaca (Prepuna and Puna).
To day we head north leaving the humid valleys into the arid PrePuna steppe. On route we look for Brown-backed Mockingbird, White-tipped Plantcutter, Red-tailed Comet and Rusty-vented Canastero. In the afternoon we drive into the Puna zone and
looking for Bare-eyed Ground Dove, Mourning Sierra Finch, Puna Yellow-finch and Rock Earthcreeper.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight in Abra Pampa.Day 4 - Lake Pozuelos Natural Monument (Puna).
We set off very early in the morning heading towards the Andean lakes, where we focus on some water birds like Andean Avocet, Andean and Puna Flamingos, Andean Goose, Puna Teal, Crested Duck, Cordilleran Canastero and Lesser Rhea. We may also find Puna Miner and the Cordilleran Canastero.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight in La Quiaca.

Puna Flamingos and Andean Avocet

Day 5 - Yavi area (Puna.
Driving eastwards and we will visit the colonial town of Yavi, where we look for some specialties like Citroen-headed Yellow-finch, Bare-faced Ground Dove and Wedged-tailed Hillstar. In the afternoon we will drive back to the valleys, through
Quebrada de Humahuaca stopping at marshes on the way looking for water birds.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight in San Salvador de Jujuy.Day 6 - Calilegua National Park (Cloud forest of Yungas).
Again we start very early in the morning looking for Giant Antshrike, Dusky-legged Guan, Crested Oropendola, Mountain Wren, Crested Becard, Golden-winged Cacique and Toco Toucan. In the upper park we will look for the elusive White-throated Antpitta and Slender-tailed Woodstar.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight in LG San Martín.Day 7 - Horacio Guzmán Airport (Dry Chaco).
Depending on the hour of the flight we may still have time to bird the yungas and dry chacoon on the way to the Airport. We can visit a water reservoir with waterfowls like Coscoroba Swan, Comb Duck and Rosy-billed Pochard.
Breakfast and lunch.

Included:Lodging, food, transportation, entrance fees to parks, guide fees.Excluded:Alcoholic drinks, any items of a personal nature, travel insurance, international airfare.Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Francisco.

Francisco Cornell, your local Birdingpal guide in Salta and Jujuy.
Francisco Cornell was borne in Buenos Aires (1972), but has lived in the Province of Jujuy, since he was 6 years old.
He was always fascinated with nature, motivated by the beautiful landscapes, wildlife and incredible night skies of the Andes. He became a birdwatcher at the age of 23, and has since spent many years traveling throughout the region birding and know very well the birds of the region. Taking part in several nature conservation projects, he developed a special interest for the Andean and its threatened bird species. In 2000 he began working as a birdwatching guide, then became an official guide of the Calilegua NP and developed “Birding Jujuy” to lead people around the region. At present, he is one of the authors of the Bird Checklist of Jujuy Province (with 577 species), got a degree in tourism and is married with a beautiful daughter.

Testimonials.
Francisco guided me during my second trip to Argentina and I can recommend him as a knowable and very pleasant guide, who knows where to find the local rarities around Jujuy. Less than half an hour into our tour he spotted Torrent Ducks and
Rufous-throated Dippers, both lifers for me, plus many more birds. Knud Rasmussen. Toronto, Canada

Patagonia.

Peninsula Valdés.

Peninsula Valdés.
Peninsula Valdés in Patagonia is a site of shrubby flat land, like a big island connected to the continent through a narrow isthmus in its western side. It has big depressed salt lagoons 25 to 44 meters below sea level. It is a place of global significance for birding and the approach to amazing marine mammals.

Yellow Cardinal

It is home to an important breeding population of the endangered southern right whale, and we can take a boat for extremely close views. It is also home to important breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions laying along the beaches. The orcas in this area have developed a unique hunting strategy to adapt to local coastal conditions, and another chance to observe for birders that love nature.

4 day birdwatching tour to the scrubby steppes and dry forest, seacoast and mudflats of Peninsula Valdés.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Porta Madryn.
Arrival Trelew airport-bus station to met by Ruben your local guide and driver for the duration of the next three days. If you arrive at evening time, we take a short diversion from the airport to a series of lagoons (adjacent to a massive rubbish-dump) which held masses of birds, like Red Shoveler (thousands), Brown Pintail and Chiloe Wigeon together with several Cinnamon Teal. Also Rosy-billed Pochards, White-tufted and Silvery Grebes, all three coots as well as Chilean Flamingos, Coscoroba and Black-necked Swans. Our main focus of attention will be in one of the reed-filled ditches, where we have a South American gem, the aptly-named Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant. A more soberly plumaged Wren-like Rushbird as well as Speckled Tyrants and Lesser Canastero can also be found.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Many-coloured Rush-Tyrant

Day 2 - Trelew - Punta Tombo - Gaiman.
Our main destination is the penguin rookery at Punta Tombo, but along the way we can observe other birds in the scrub which stretch endlessly on either side of the dusty highway. We will find Lesser Canasteros, Burrowing Owls, Common Diuca-Finches, Lesser Rheas, Patagonian Mockingbirds, Elegant Crested Tinamou, Red-backed Hawks and, of course, a good chance for a view of Patagonian Canasteros and Rusty-backed Monjita, another attractive inhabitant of the open areas.
Mammals along the way like Maras, endemic to the south of Argentina and peculiar is perhaps the best word to use in describing it. Also groups of Guanaco lamas on the boundaries of the penguin colony.
The Magellanic Penguin colony at Punta Tombo reputedly attracts more visitors each year than the Galapagos Islands and it is easy to understand why. Everyone loves penguins and at Punta Tombo the birds are everywhere, occupying nests at the side of the boardwalk paths.
After enjoying the penguins we turn our attention to some of the other inhabitants of this pleasant reserve, the most interesting of course is the endemic Chubut Steamerduck foraging near the rocky shore.
At the colony we can see several hamster-like Pampas Cavies near the nesting burrows.
Box lunch and return to Trelew to the lush green valley settled by Welsh immigrants in the 19th Century. This oasis of water meadows, cultivation and trees attracts numbers of wildfowl such as Brown Pintail and Speckled Teal, but one of the most conspicuous residents are the Southern Lapwing, also Tiny Picui, Ground Doves. White-tailed Kites can be seen near the town of Gaiman.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight at hotel in Puerto Madryn.

Sandy Gallito

Day 3 - Puerto Madryn - Puerto Piramides.
After early breakfast we drive to Puerto Piramides in the Valdés Peninsula, a very important and protected area.
Not far outside the town of Puerto Madryn we stop to look for some of the specialties that occur in this area: Carbonated Sierra-Finches engaged in downwardly-spiraling display flights, White-throated Cacholote and we visit the soft sandy cliffs where Burrowing Parrots nest.
Puerto Piramedes, a small town of just two or three streets (but the only town of any size on the whole peninsula) nestles in a small depression at the edge of some enormous sand-dunes and a large bay.
In June we have an optional excursion to see Southern Right Whales close to shore.
After lunch we take a short diversion to look for Darwin's Tinamou in the scrub not far the town and of course other birds of this scrubby moorland include Mourning Sierra-Finches, Elegant Crested Tinamous, Patagonian Mockingbirds and the inevitable Rufous-collared Sparrows. Also the chance to see Tawny-throated Dotterel.
Then we drive north-east through the Valdés Peninsula looking for Turkey Vultures, Chimangos Caracara, Common Miners,
Patagonian Yellow Finches, Dotterel and Borrowing Owls. We will stop so see the colony of Elephant Seals breeding along the shore, Sea Lions as well as Magellan ic Penguin. During the summer seasons you may also see Orcas.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Overnight in San Antonio Oeste´s hotel.

Scale-throated Earthcreeper

Day 4 - Puerto Madryn.
After early breakfast, in this particular area which is a buffer zone between the Patagonian steppe and the pampas, we will
look for our main target today, the endemic Yellow Cardinal, but there are other interesting birds to see like Patagonian
Canastero, White Monjita, the rare Sandy Gallito, Vermillion and Fork-tailed Flycatchers. Between the Chañar, the steppe tree
in Patagonia it is possible to see White-throated Cacholotes and in the open areas Chocolate-vented Tyrant and Rusty-backed Monjitas.
Returning to Puerto Madryn, dinner and bus to Buenos Aires.

Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Ruben.

Ruben Manriquez, your local Birdingpal guide in Puerto Madryn, Chubut
I'm a Biologist involved in birdwatching guiding in Patagonia with experience working with birdwatchers from all over the
world. Born in the Southern Andes (Esquel is my town, located at the end of "The Old Patagonian Express"!!!).
I now live in Puerto Madryn working in fishing and tourism since the eighties.
I speak English and have guided people from England, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, U.S., Belgium, Canada, Holland etc. during my 18 years as a tour guide. I offer good service, knowledge and acknowledge we have to do as much as possible for to preserve nature around us.

Testimonials.
Thank your for putting us in touch with Ruben Manriquez from Puerto Madryn. My husband and I had a wonderful birding trip with Ruben in the region of Chabut. Ruben laid out a good plan for us to see as many birds of the region as possible during our 4 day trip. We were able to bird from the time he picked us up at the airport until our departure. As we birded he also gave us excellent information about the natural areas of Chabut. Ruben is a talented birder; he's also prompt, patient and most importantly, he became our friend.
Sincerely,
Sue Schwaller sue.schwaller(AT)sbcglobal.net

Tierra del Fuego.

Tierra del Fuego.
The southernmost tip of South America is Tierra de Fuego Island. Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, is also known as the gateway to the Antarctic Peninsula. The insularity and the geographic setting offer a variety of interesting environments
to search for birds. We can experience the strong presence of the Andes range, with the Yellow-bridled Finch above the tree line; or the shallow waters of the Beagle Channel shore visited by Flightless Steamer-Ducks; the silent beach forest inhabited by the magnificent Magellanic Woodpecker; the northern steppe grasslands and lagoons are the home of Ruddy-headed Goose and Magellanic Plover among others; finally we shouldn’t forget the Atlantic seashore, summer home of many northern hemispheric migratory birds, such as the endangered Red Knot.

Day 2 - Tierra del Fuego National Park full day.
We drive to the nearby Tierra del Fuego National Park for a full day visit. We visit the dense Southern Beech forest, home of the White-throated Treerunner and the Magellanic Woodpecker. On rivers and lakes there are good chances for Ducks, Great Grebe, Ringed Kingfisher and Flying Steamer-Ducks among others. We will search for the majestic king of the Andes, the Condor. Fire-eyed Diucon, Chilean Swallow, Austral Thrush, Black-chinned Siskin, Patagonian Sierra-finch and the delightful
Thorn-tailed Rayadito are also possible to spot.
Return to Ushuaia for overnight.

Day 3 - Martial Glacier and Beagle Channel seashore half day.
Visit to Martial Glacier and Beagle Channel seashore, both in the vicinity of Ushuaia. We will start walking through beech forest until we reach the timberline. Once we get there we will search for some of the specialties of the Andes such as Dark-faced Ground-Tyrant, Ochre-napped Ground-Tyrant, White-throated Caracara and the beautiful Yellow-bridled Finch. We'll
also search for the really scarce White-bellied Seedsnipe. After enjoying the mountains we will move to the sea shore. There
are good spots to find Kelp Goose, Ashy-headed Goose (October to March), Flightless Steamer-Duck and Dolphin Gull. We will be able to have excellent views of these birds. Transfer to the airport to connect to next destination. End.

Note: A day extension to northern Tierra del Fuego is available on request.

Should you only need a guide for a day please send a message to Esteban.

Esteban Daniels, your local Birdingpal guide in Tierra del Fuego
I'm an enthusiastic birdwatcher and professional tour guide. As a birder I spent the last 10 years searching for the best
places to find birds around Southern Patagonia. Tierra del Fuego Island and Patagonia are excellent for birdwatching and to enjoy nature.

Notes:All the date of itineraries include arrival and departure dates.
All trips are available year round, but prices may be adjusted around special holidays.
Minimum lead time one month.
To check availability for tours on short notice, fill out “Request for Quote” form with desirable dates.

Fitness:The tours generally does not require a high level of fitness, but participants should be in good general health. Should you have any physical limitations please contact us.

Some facts about Argentina.

General info about Buenos Aires.
Foreigners: Buenos Aires received a very strong immigrant flow at the end of 1800´s, so it can be called a cosmopolitan city. This makes it a city used –and pleased- to receive foreign visitors. As a foreigner you will feel comfortable during your stay.
Pedestrians: Argentine motorists do not allow crossing to pedestrians. Be careful, especially when crossing street corners. The first seconds of a red light are taken as green by motorists and especially by public bus drivers.
Weather: Temperature ranges - summer 70-90 F. Daylight: 6.30 to 8.30 PM. Winter: 40-60 F, although last winters have been quite warm. Daylight 8 AM to 6 PM. There is no dry or rainy season but 1000 to 1200 millimeters falls during the year. Relative humidity is usually high.
Rush hour: Buenos Aires day start late and close very late. In general, offices open at 9 am and close at 6 pm making rush hour from 7:30am to 10:30am and from 5:00pm to 8:00 pm. Downtown is known as Centro, whose limits are uncertain, but a rule of thumb is to consider Centro to be the area 20 blocks around the Obelisco.
Stores may open only after 9 AM and never close before 7 PM. They are normally opened continuously (do not close at noon), but this may not be so moving away from the downtown area.
Supermarkets and food shops are open quite late (8:00pm or 9:00pm). During weekends, some shops open only Saturday morning, but your will still find many groceries opened during the weekend.
Flying to Buenos Aires: Ezeiza and Ministro Pistarini are synonyms to designate the international airport of Buenos Aires, and its three letter code is EZE. For Argentines, the usual name is Ezeiza, although the official name that appears on some of the airline tickets often lead to confusion.
The international airport of Ezeiza is 25 Km south of the city connected by a highway, that brings you straight to the city center. When the traffic is normal, the trip takes 35 minutes, this may extend to 1 hour during ‘rush hours’.
The airport for domestic flights is Aeroparque Jorge Newbery (code: AEP), called simply “Aeroparque” and it is situated in the center of the city (15 minutes drive outside rush hour).
Leaving the airport: When you pass customs entering the country and have not made previous arrangements, you will be besieged by taxi or ‘rent car’ drivers called ‘remises’ (they differ from taxis for displaying the price). Do not accept independent drivers, but choose a car or bus company with a desk in the airport. For example regular services as described in www.tiendaleon.com.ar
Before leaving the airport, is a good idea to change some money at the Banco de la Nacion Argentina.
Exchange: US$ notes are commonly used in Argentina. They are normally accepted at hotels at current exchange rate, or a bit less. Restaurants and shops usually accept them, but do not give back small change or coins. It is better to have local currency for smaller expenses.
Travelers checks have limited use and when accepted (not very commonly indeed), you will get a lesser rate than dollar notes. It is best to cash them at an exchange agency (again, rate is less than notes).
Euros are accepted in exchange agencies at current rates, but they are not used as cash.
Exchange rate: There is no difference between official rate and free or “black market” rate. To know the current exchange rate, you can visit, among others, the website www.dolarhoy.com with details of exchange agencies and more.
Exchange at Ezeiza: There are several rate counters, very good looking, but should be avoided, as they pay 60% or 70% less than current exchange. Use Banco de la Nación Argentina offices. There are two at the Airport open every day. One is located at Aerolineas Argentinas sector and open from 6:00am to midnight (12:00pm). The other office, at the international sector, is open 24 hours.
Downtown banks exchange dollar notes, but they are only open Monday to Friday from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Exchange agencies remain open a bit longer, although they are only situated in the financial district and a few more places.
Credit cards MasterCard, VISA and AMEX are the most common ones, although sometimes they are not accepted for small amounts.
Buying food, medicines and personal articles: Kioscos and Maxikioscos (Drugstores) are compact shops, that sell sweets, cold drinks, sometimes sandwiches, some personal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, etc.), medicines (aspirins, antacid etc.) and open up to 24 hours. They usually have telephone booths. Pharmacies sell medicines and personal beauty and hygiene products.
Shopping Malls: They are open 7 days a week from 10:00am to 10:00pm. These places are perfect for buying quality clothes, footwear, sporting goods, etc. They have food areas (called Patio de Comidas) with a great variety of offers.
Taxis: Taking taxis not recommended by the hotel or a local contact can lead to the same risks, as in any other big city of the world (surcharge, etc.). Taxis have a digital display, that indicate trip cost in Argentinean pesos and cents. It is not necessary to tip except, when you place luggage in the trunk.
Buses: In the city and the suburbs you can take a bus to any place paying a very low price, but driving is rough and bus stop posters or driver’s indications etc. are poor. If you know where to get off or if the distance is short, take it, otherwise use another options. You have to bring your own coins.
Underground Tube or Subway: The local name is Subte www.subte.com.ar. It is the best way to travel within the central area.
Food issues: Being a city that dines late in the evening, breakfast does not start early in hotels. Standard time is 7.00, and sometimes later. Check with your hotel.
Restaurants do not open very early in the afternoon (the standard is 8:00 pm, but in touristy neighborhoods they open before) and up to very late (they normally accept guests to 12:00 pm).
Fast foods and some other places are open 24 hours.
Water and other drinks: In general running water is completely safe for drinking, although its chlorine flavor is not very pleasant. Brush your teeth or drink water from a faucet with confidence.
In restaurants running water is not served, but you can order it (although locals rarely do). Bottled water is relatively more expensive, than any other drink. Argentine wine is inexpensive, so take advantage of it! Beer is mostly Lager type and is served very cold.
Telephones and Internet: Dollar rates for calling by phone or for connecting to Internet are low. There are plenty of “locutorios”, places with several telephone booths, where it is possible to speak comfortably. Computers connected to Internet and Skype charge according to time used. Some of them are open very late (after 10:00 pm), but it varies according to location. Many premises have only computers and are just called “Cibers”. On the other hand, cybercafés are less frequent, that is to say, coffee shops providing computer use. Wi-Fi is widespread.

Bird Sounds from Southern South America/Sonidos de aves del Cono Sur Bernabe Lopez-Lanus DVD-ROM. Audiornis. 831031
The author puts together 6.100 voice recordings of 1.000 birdspecies from near 60 recordists. The number of species represents virtually all those present in the area covered,( Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay , Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Atlantic Islands) except rarities and pelagic ones.
With an average of 6 voice records (both songs and call) per species, the material is excellent for a detailed study of the
bird sounds of the area. Each record (as an mp3 file) has a quite long label indicating name, location, date, author and additional data, all very detailed.
As a tool to identify species by their voices this excellent material can be a little bit too large in the field. A selection of one song per species could be a good alternative.
Additionally, the disc includes 3.000 photos of 850 species from 56 Photographers.

If you are you an independent birdwatcher, who does not care for large group tours, then Birdingpaltours is for you

Our tours are flexible, safe and the use of a local guide lets you participate in the planning

A local guide knows all the hotspots and you get the most out of your trip

You select the date and length for a trip to suit youself

If your time is limited, we'll design a tour to fit your needs

A professional Birdingpal guide can customize your tour, and you will see the birds you want.

Your guide is also your travel companion, who will make sure you experience the native people, scenery, culture, history and food, first hand.

You will enjoy the advantage of all the attention you get in a small group, for the same price or perhaps even less, than you will pay if you travel with the large tour groups from other countries

Remember, the next time you travel, you do not have to miss the birdwatching if your partner or travel companions are non birders; a local guide is flexible, and will easily accommodate other needs too

Hiring a Birdingpal guide will boost the local economy and help protect birds other wildlife and their habitat

Birdwatching in Argentina

Africa is the continent of mammals, Australia the one of marsupials, and South America the continent of the birds. Around 8,600 bird species inhabit the planet, of which nearly 3,000 can be found in South America alone.
Argentina is located in the southern end of South America, and mostly lies under the tropics. It's rich bird life (+ 1000
species) has to do with the diversity of habitats: lowland and mountain humid subtropical forest in the North, swamps and grassland in the East, dry woodland in the centre, high plateaus in the Northwest, barren Patagonian steppes in the South, the lush sub Antarctic beech forest in the extreme South, and over 2.000 km of Atlantic coastline.
Being the second largest country in South America after Brazil and 10th in the world, Argentina can only be covered by several local guides, each one taking care of its own local area. They work as a Co-Op, coordination from Buenos Aires to ensure every trip is not just a collection of places, but a well planned, intense, and a smoothly running birding experience.

Tourism all over Argentina is becoming a major activity, and services and infrastructure (roads, communications, hotels, health services, etc) are very good, so you can expect appropriate services in all destinations. Argentina main economic activity is agricultural and food producing, so you can expect excellent beef, vegetables, fruits, baked goods, fish and dairy products. Being the fifth biggest producer in the world, high quality wine is available anywhere. Not surprisingly, you can find a wide variety of food with a strong Italian influence.
Birdingpaltours Argentina offer standard birdwatching tours for small groups to four main destinations: The Buenos Aires area,
the North East, the North West and Patagonia.